Boon Kathin - The Kathina Robe Offering
The Bodhisatta leaving the palace, with Brahma holding the requisites of a monk. 18th Century manuscript sent to Sri Lanka from Ayutthaya before it’s destruction in 1767.Bodleian Library MS. Pali a. 27 (R) Oxford
After the end of the rain retreat (Auk Phansa) until the time of the following Full Moon (Loy Krathong) is the traditional season for offering robes to all the monks. These robes are for those who completed the 3 month “Buddhist Lent” and is one of the festivals which doesn’t have a set date. To give an overview of this festival I would like to start with a section from a traditional text I quoted in the previous post:
“…during the month following the end of Buddhist Lent, between the full moon of October and November, the Kathina ceremony takes place in which saffron robes are presented to monks. It is an annual Buddhist ceremony. The giving of Kathina robes at this time has special significance, as it rewards monks for having spent well the Buddhist Lent, and it equips them with attire just when they are free to journey forth on pilgrimage.
Those who donate the saffron Kathina robes to monks will earn merit. The saffron robe is the symbol of the blessed flag of the Exalted One, who conquers all evil and defilements, becoming the Enlightened One. The monks consider the saffron robe as the blessed flag to lead them, the order of disciples who keep precepts, as well as the symbol of the Blessed One who extinguished the defilements. Without him no foothold for defilements can be found. Even Indra, the king of celestial beings, as well as Brahma, also respect the saffron robe as the blessed flag. All human beings realize the importance of the saffron robe and respect it as the symbol of the Buddha.
During the period for donating Kathina robes, lay people offer Kathina robes to monks as the monks who accept Kathina robes can enjoy the benefit of the offering. The laymen who donate Kathina robes also earn merit from the donation. Those who donate Kathina robes will become prosperous in this life, living happily and in peace.
Here is one example of the benefit of donation of the Kathina robe:
The lady Ummadanti donated Kathina robes as well as saffron robes to monks. Because of her meritorious deeds, she was born as the daughter of a wealthy man, with a good complexion and a good reputation. The reputation of her beauty spread to many kingdoms, Ummadanti lived happily and in peace and became a celestial being in heaven. Merit is the refuge of all for the next world.”
Luang Phor Afoh - Teaching for Temple Youth Pg 96 (Leut Lemeut Phlai Pea / คำสอนศิษย์วัด) C18th
Jivaka requesting the Buddha to accept the first Kathina offering.
In addition to the general overview of the Kathina and it’s benefits, it is worth relating briefly the reason for it’s first occurrence, especially since as it is due to the beneficial action of Dr. Jivaka Komarabhacca, who is so well known in all the Thai and Buddhist medical traditions.
Simply told: originally the Buddha and the Sangha accepted no robes from the layfolk, instead relying on the pamsukula or rag-robes, often those that wrapped corpses. From these the monks would dye and sew their own robes.
However, one day Jivaka obtained 2 fine pieces of gold coloured fabric from King Candappajjota of Ujjeni, a somewhat brutal tyrant of a king who had to be tricked to take an unpleasant medicine and who would have executed Jivaka if given the chance. However after being cured of his illness the King sent him material only worthy of royalty. Jivaka wished to present this fine fabric to the Buddha and Sangha and so the tradition of Kathina robes was started.
“Once followers heard the news, then they offered the robes to Bhikkhus delightfully. Some of which were hard, some delicate and made up from various different materials. Bhikkhus were unsure of the type of robes allowed. Lord Buddha then allowed six types of material: robes made from bark, cotton, silk, fur, linen and gold.”
Pg 114 - Ohm Rachavate (2013) The Humble Doctor: Jivaka Komarabhacca
The Royal Barge Kathina Offering 2024
Pretty much every temple has a Kathin ceremony, not only in Thailand but in Theravada temples throughout the world. The grandest ceremonies were the one’s conducted by Royal Barge, in Ayutthaya times an annual event, and today only on occasional years such as when it is the King’s zodiac year.
One of the distinctive symbols of the Kathin ceremony are the banners that accompany it consisting of 4 animals: mermaid, crocodile, centipede and tortoise. I am unable to find a written source to confirm the story I heard but in brief:
Long ago in the time of a previous Buddha, the Bodhisatta was born in a poor family and was employed by a rich merchant to guard his rice fields. Now the Bodhisatta convinced the merchant of the merit in offering Kathina robes to the current Buddha and the merchant in turn tried to convince his 4 friends to join him. However the 4 friends were addicted to the vices of: lust, greed, anger and ignorance and refused to join in making merit. In consequence at death they were born as a mermaid, crocodile, centipede and tortoise respectively, while the merchant was reborn as a great deva in heaven. He met his 4 friends who now regretted their previous actions and so donated to the Kathina ceremony by offering lotus flowers and the like and so were honoured from then on with banners so they could always make merit during Kathin.
Modern style (Bua Luang art style) Kathin banners by Vessukarrma Bu Cha Art
In conclusion, the Kathina robe offering ceremony is an excellent occasion to make merit and get acquainted with your local Theravada temple. Please try to visit your local temple or check out their Facebook page (I guarantee they have one!) to find out when they will be holding the ceremony and make merit by offering money and the like to the ceremony.
